February 2024

Context ∙ The Prime Minister of India inaugurated Kochi – Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fibre Cable to provide 100 Gbps internet connectivity to the Lakshadweep. About ∙ For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable. ο Earlier, the only means of communication with the Islands was through Satellite medium,

Context ∙ India has nominated Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme under the Ramsar Convention. About ∙ These are the first three Indian cities nominated for WCA based on the proposals received from state wetlands authorities in collaboration with municipal corporations. ∙ Sirpur Wetland (Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Indore), Bhoj Wetland

Context: ∙ The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report titled “The ∙ The report extensively explores the potential and challenges of e-fuels as a solution for decarbonizing the transport sector. Key Findings ∙ Rapid deployment of low-emission fuels: Significant reductions in fossil fuel demand are possible in road transport through fuel efficiency improvements and

In News ∙ As per a recent study, Pansy Plants (Viola arvensis) growing near Paris have evolved themselves to produce less  nectar,  showing  signs  of self-pollination instead of depending on Pollinators. What is Pollination? ∙ Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther (reproductive organ) of a flower to the female

Context: ∙ The European Union (EU)’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a concern for India and there is a pressing need for India to formulate its own carbon taxation measures. What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? ∙ It is a tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production

Context ∙ The Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding the biosafety of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11, which has been approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for environmental release. What are GM crops? ∙ Crops that have undergone genetic engineering processes to alter their DNA are referred to as genetically modified crops. ∙ The

Context ∙ The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) recently completed five years. About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) ∙ The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the NCAP in 2019 as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the rising air pollution. ∙ The NCAP’s initial target was to reduce two key

Context ∙ The World Economic Forum has released its report ‘Green Hydrogen: Enabling Measures Roadmap for Adoption in India’. ∙ The report recommends five areas that can benefit from public-private interventions in expediting the adoption of green hydrogen in India. Extraction of Hydrogen ∙ Hydrogen exists in combination with other elements. ∙ Hence, for using

Context: ∙ The Union Cabinet approves 8,500 crore incentive scheme, the National Coal Gasification Mission, for coal gasification projects. About the National Coal Gasification Mission ∙ It is an initiative by the Union Ministry of Coal, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. ∙ The mission aims to utilise coal through coal gasification, with the goal of